“Where are they to meet?”
“Faith! I didn’t think to ask; but perhaps they haven’t told, if they don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Honorine, I don’t want him to fight. Oh! I entreat you, let us go to him.”
“Wait—someone is knocking at the gate; it’s Edmond or his friend, no doubt, and we shall learn the truth.”
Poucette appeared with a letter in her hand.
“A little boy just brought this letter for madame,” she said; “he said there wasn’t any answer and ran right away again.”
Honorine opened the letter and glanced first at the foot of the page.
“No signature!”
“Never mind! read it quickly, my dear!” cried Agathe; “it must be from one of those gentlemen; read it!”
“‘Madame, at eight o’clock this morning, Monsieur Edmond Didier and Monsieur Luminot are to fight a duel with pistols on the first island above the mill, below Gournay bridge. Your presence and Mademoiselle Agathe’s would doubtless prevent this duel, which may have deplorable results. Consider what you will do.’”